Electronic torsional tool

ABSTRACT

An enhancing structure of an electronic torsional tool having an electronic strain gauge for measuring a torsional force applied thereon; wherein the electronic torsional tool having a main body comprising: an extending rod mounted in the main body and extended through a longitudinal length of the main body, so as to enhance flexibility of the main body. The main body is provided with an opening to enhance flexibility of the main body. The extending rod is extended through a longitudinal length of the opening of the main body, so as to enhance the strength of the opening of the main body. The strain gauge is mounted in the opening of the main body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a continuation in part of U.S. patent Ser. No.10/608,577 assigned to and invented by the inventor of the presentinvention. Thus the contents of the U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/608,577 isincorporated into the present invention as a part of the specificationof the present invention.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic torsional tool, and moreparticularly to an electronic torsional tool provided with an openingand an extending rod to enhance flexibility and deformation of theelectronic torsional tool.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional pointer type torsional wrench in accordance with theprior art shown in FIG. 8 comprises a drive shank 10 having a first endformed with a drive head 11, a handle 14 pivotally mounted on a secondend of the drive shank 10 by a pivot shaft 15, a torsion scale 13secured on the drive shank 10 and located adjacent to the handle 14, anda pointer rod 12 integrally extended from the drive head 11 and having afree end pointed to the torsion scale 13. The pointer rod 12 is inparallel with the drive shank 10 at the normal state.

In operation, the drive head 11 is fitted on a workpiece (by a socketfor example). The operator exerts a force on the handle 14 to rotate thedrive shank 10 of the wrench and to operate the workpiece. The handle 14is pivoted with the drive shank 10 by the pivot shaft 15, so that theforce in each direction exerted by the operator on the handle 14 can beconcentrated on the pivot shaft 15 and can be transmitted to the driveshank 10 of the wrench. Thus, when the force applied on the drive shank10 of the wrench exceeds a predetermined value, the pointer rod 12deviates from the drive shank 10 through a relative angle, so that thepointer 120 of the pointer rod 12 can indicate the torsion value exertedon the wrench by the deflecting angle between the pointer rod 12 and thedrive shank 10.

However, the conventional pointer type torsional wrench has thefollowing disadvantages.

1. The operator has to exert a torsional force on the handle 14successively so that the pointer 120 of the pointer rod 12 can read thetorsion values. Thus, the indicated torsion reading values are notaccurate because the successive force applied by the operator is notevenly distributed.

2. The pointer rod 12 protrudes from the drive shank 10, so that it iseasily hit by a foreign object, thereby affecting the accuracy of thepointer rod 12.

3. The operator has to exert a torsional force on the handle 14successively so that the pointer 120 of the pointer rod 12 can read thetorsion values, thereby wasting the operator's energy.

A conventional spring type torsional wrench 16 in accordance with theprior art shown in FIG. 9 is disclosed in the Taiwanese PatentPublication No. 288375. The output torsion of the torsional wrench 16 isadjustable. When the force applied on the wrench exceeds a predeterminedvalue, the wrench idles, thereby limiting the torsion exerted by theoperator to a determined value. However, the torsional wrench 16 cannotclearly indicate the torsion reading values.

A conventional single-rod type torsional wrench 30 in accordance withthe prior art shown in FIG. 10 is disclosed in the Taiwanese PatentPublication No. 485872. Another conventional single-rod type torsionalwrench 32 in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 12Ais disclosed in the Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 488991. Theabove-mentioned single-rod type torsional wrench is formed with aplurality of recesses for receiving the strain gauge, the bridge and thedigital indicator.

A conventional double-rod type torsional wrench in accordance with theprior art shown in FIG. 13 is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,541.The above-mentioned double-rod type torsional wrench comprises a solidinner rod 18 co-operating with a strain gauge, and a hollow outer rod 17mounted on the solid inner rod 18.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide anelectronic torsional tool, wherein the main body is provided with anopening and an extending rod to enhance flexibility of the main body.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an electronictorsional tool, wherein the opening and the extending rod of the mainbody enhance deformation of the main body, so as to increase deformationof the strain gauge.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide an electronictorsional tool, wherein the opening of the main body is located in atorsion deformation zone consisting of the handle portion and the driveportion of the main body.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide an electronictorsional tool, wherein the opening and the extending rod are extendedthrough the handle portion and the drive portion of the main body,thereby enhancing deformation of the main body, and thereby increasingdeformation (or distortion) of the strain gauge, so as to detect andobtain the torsion values exactly.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide an electronictorsional tool, wherein the extending rod is extended through alongitudinal length of the opening of the main body, so as to enhancethe strength of the opening of the main body.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent after a careful reading of the detailed description withappropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic torsional tool inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an electronic torsional tool of thepresent invention, where a strain gauge is installed therein.

FIG. 1B shows one application of the present invention, where covers areadded to the tool of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the electronic torsional tool as shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front plan partially cross-sectional view of the electronictorsional tool as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electronic torsional tool inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electronic torsional tool inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the electronic torsional tool inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front plan partially cross-sectional view of the electronictorsional tool as shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan cross-sectional view of a conventional pointer typetorsional wrench in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional spring type torsionalwrench in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional single-rodtype torsional wrench in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another conventional single-rod typetorsional wrench in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 12 is a top plan cross-sectional view of the conventionalsingle-rod type torsional wrench as shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 12A is a side plan cross-sectional view of the conventionalsingle-rod type torsional wrench as shown in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 13 is a top plan cross-sectional view of a conventional double-rodtype torsional wrench in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, an electronictorsional tool having an enhancing structure in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is an electronic torsionalwrench. The tool comprises a main body 2, and a strain gauge 30 (seeFIG. 1A) mounted in the main body 2. In operation, when the electronictorsional tool is operated, the strain gauge 30 is deformed to produce asignal which is transmitted through a circuit (not shown) to a displayunit 31 so as to provide and indicate the present torsion value to theuser. The structure and operation of the strain gauge are conventionaland will not be further described in detail.

The main body 2 is provided with a handle portion 24 and a drive portion23 located at a distal end of the handle portion 24. The main body 2 isprovided with an opening 22 to enhance flexibility of the main body 2.Preferably, the opening 22 is extended through a longitudinal length ofthe main body 2. The strain gauge is mounted in the opening 22 of themain body 2. Thus, the opening 22 enhances deformation of the main body2, so as to increase deformation of the strain gauge.

Referring to FIG. 1A, it is illustrated that the strain gauges 30 areinstalled in one of the opening 22 and a display 31 is installed in thehandle portion 24.

In comparison, in the conventional torsional wrench as shown in FIGS.10-12, the recess is only used for receiving the strain gauge, thebridge and the digital indicator. In the electronic torsional tool inaccordance with the present invention, the opening 22 enhancesdeformation of the main body 2, so as to increase deformation of thestrain gauge 21. Thus, the function and structure of the opening 22 inthe present invention are quite different from that of the recess in theconventional torsional wrench as shown in FIGS. 12-14.

In addition, the electronic torsional tool further comprises anextending rod 21 mounted in the main body 2 and extended through alongitudinal length of the opening 22 of the main body 2, so as toenhance the strength of the opening 22 of the main body 2. Preferably,the extending rod 21 is made of a soft metallic material, such as analuminum alloy. Thus, the extending rod 21 and the opening 22 of themain body 2 can enhance deformation of the main body 2.

In practice, the opening 22 is extended through the handle portion 24and the drive portion 23 of the main body 2 and the extending rod 21 isextended through the longitudinal length of the opening 22 of the mainbody 2, thereby enhancing deformation of the main body 2, and therebyincreasing deformation (or distortion) of the strain gauge, so as todetect and obtain the torsion values exactly.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic torsional tool in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention is a D-headed electronictorsional wrench.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic torsional tool in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention is an electronic torsionalsocket.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the electronic torsional tool in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention is shown, in thisembodiment, no opening is formed in the main body 2 is undefined, andthe extending rod 21 is hidden in an interior of the main body 2.

Preferably, referring to FIG. 1B, the electronic torsional tool furthercomprises cover 32 directly mounted on the main body 2 in a rivetingmanner to encompass the opening 22 of the main body 2 so as to protectthe main body 2.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many otherpossible modifications and variations can be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated thatthe appended claim or claims will cover such modifications andvariations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

1. An enhancing structure of an electronic torsional tool having anelectronic strain gauge for measuring a torsional force applied thereon;wherein the electronic torsional tool having a main body comprising: anextending rod mounted in the main body and extended through alongitudinal length of the main body, so as to enhance flexibility ofthe main body.
 2. The enhancing structure of an electronic torsionaltool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main body is provided withan opening to enhance flexibility of the main body.
 3. The enhancingstructure of an electronic torsional tool in accordance with claim 2,wherein the extending rod is extended through a longitudinal length ofthe opening of the main body, so as to enhance the strength of theopening of the main body.
 4. The enhancing structure of an electronictorsional tool in accordance with claim 2, wherein the opening isextended through a longitudinal length of the main body.
 5. Theenhancing structure 1 in accordance with claim 2, wherein the main bodyis provided with a handle portion and a drive portion located at adistal end of the handle portion, and the opening is extended throughthe handle portion of the main body.
 6. The enhancing structure inaccordance with claim 2, wherein the strain gauge is mounted in theopening of the main body.
 7. The enhancing structure in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the extending rod is made of a soft metallic material.8. The enhancing structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein theextending rod is made of an aluminum alloy.
 9. The enhancing structurein accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic torsional tool is anelectronic torsional wrench.
 10. The enhancing structure in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the electronic torsional tool is a D-headedelectronic torsional wrench.
 11. The enhancing structure in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the electronic torsional tool is an electronictorsional socket.
 12. The enhancing structure in accordance with claim1, wherein the extending rod is hidden in the main body.
 13. Theenhancing structure in accordance with claim 2, further comprising acover directly mounted on the main body to encompass the opening of themain body so as to protect the main body.